Fake Heer Flaks in Tucker

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Robin,

I guess time will tell, but the books hitting the market right now (and a year ago ) are all very specific in nature and content and THAT is the difference. I am very certain my CCC book, and Marc's flak book will be quite relavent and up to date 20 years from now. That is because we had the easy job of studying only 1 badge, whereas books like Tucker try to cover too many badges at 1 time. You know the old saying, Jack of all trades, Master of None.

I vetted my CCC book for 2 years, with 10 years of collecting experience behind it pretty much concentrating on only the CCC. Tucker probably took the same amount of time writing his book, but yet covered 15 or so badges and you can see the result.

Tucker's book is indeed 4 years old, but 90% of the fakes mentioned in this thread were already revealed and covered by previous threads which were started literally a few MONTHS after the book was published! These didn't take years to come to the surface, but rather a mere quick look by some experienced collectors to identify most as fakes. Tucker just did not properly research and vet his book properly......IMHO.

Tom

[Robert P.]

Sorry to say, but all the books being written with pride at the moment will be just as heavily criticised by future collectors in years to come, as our knowledge grows.

It goes with the territory.

I can't believe you'd say such a thing, Robin. From the very introduction of this book the collectors were calling out its fakes. Can you say such mistakes exist in current reference books?

[Robin Lumsden]

I can't believe you'd say such a thing, Robin. Can you say such mistakes exist in current reference books?

Well, let's put it this way.

I have yet to see a book that is perfect.

I don't think I ever will.

[Robin Lumsden]

Hi Robin,

I guess time will tell, but the books hitting the market right now (and a year ago ) are all very specific in nature and content and THAT is the difference. I am very certain my CCC book, and Marc's flak book will be quite relavent and up to date 20 years from now. That is because we had the easy job of studying only 1 badge, whereas books like Tucker try to cover too many badges at 1 time. You know the old saying, Jack of all trades, Master of None.

I vetted my CCC book for 2 years, with 10 years of collecting experience behind it pretty much concentrating on only the CCC. Tucker probably took the same amount of time writing his book, but yet covered 15 or so badges and you can see the result.

Tucker's book is indeed 4 years old, but 90% of the fakes mentioned in this thread were already revealed and covered by previous threads which were started literally a few MONTHS after the book was published! These didn't take years to come to the surface, but rather a mere quick look by some experienced collectors to identify most as fakes. Tucker just did not properly research and vet his book properly......IMHO.

Tom

Tom.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if collectors 10 years from now were writing books about single maker variants of a single badge (e.g. a book on all the Assmann GABs) ..............and saying that you were too ambitious in tackling all of the CCC makers!

That isn't to criticise you in any way.................it's just the way the whole thing is going.

Authors are either specialists, or generalists.

If you are a specialist, they say you know everything about nothing.

If you are a generalist, they say you know nothing about everything.

You just can't win!

It's an eternal truth.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Robin,

What do you consider perfect?

If you are talking about a book with 0% fakes, then have you seen my CCC book, or Marc's Flak book, or Dietrich's RK book? How about Sascha's line of books on the IAB and Minesweeper badge? I think we all have typo's in the book, but something you can say that is DEFINATELY NOT in the book are reproductions called out as originals. I say this not to brag, but simply mean that writting about 1 badge or medal is easier to vet than one that tries to cover too much in this hobby rife with fakes. As author's, we owe it to our readers to vet our books properly, rather than to claim we are "experts" on more than we honestly know.

Frank's GAB book has 1 or 2 fakes in it, but I would also consider his book "perfect" because 99% of the information in there is correct and again, it took only a matter of weeks for experienced collectors to call out the fakes in his book after publication, not years after the fact. Tucker's book on the other hand was called to the carpet VERY early with countless fakes.

Tom

[Chet Sowersby]

Re: Tucker's book Has anyone noticed that when these are sold on Ebay that they go for far more money than when orginaly sold? In some instances close to $200 more. Go figure....

Chet

[Robin Lumsden]

What do you consider perfect?

Making a profit on a book!

[Robin Lumsden]

Has anyone noticed that when these are sold on Ebay they go for far more money than when orginally sold? In some instances close to $200 more.

There's a lesson there for us all!

[Robin Lumsden]

P.S.

It's fun winding people up!

[Marc Garlasco]

I have no problem with saying no books are perfect - in mine I state quite clearly I did my best but as new information surfaces some things may change. Hey - it will give me a shot at a second edition in 20 years!

[Thomas Durante]

Making a profit on a book!

Profit is not a problem IF you write a good book Robin

The problem comes in when people are thinking too much about the profit side of it and not on the content part of it. That is why Tucker is taking a beating, he is a businessman first and collector second. For the small profit he made in writing the book, I wonder if it is now worth it to him as his reputation is totally shot in this hobby. He used to post on the forums, but doesn't anymore, no doubt because he is embarressed about his book. Hobby must be real fun for him now??

However, I am glad you decided to stick it out Robin

Tom

[Graeme]

Sorry to say, but all the books being written with pride at the moment will be just as heavily criticised by future collectors in years to come, as our knowledge grows.

I disagree,

You miss the point that Tom made about some authors actually researching the badges.

Franks book set the standard and in a way made it "easier" for others to follow with very good publications. It is clear in Franks book that a lot of time had been spent researching makers etc.

I have not seen Saschas latest book, but do not feel his previous books fall into the same category, more of a list of badges, without any extensive research. I suspect his latest book is missing many variants.

Lastly, regarding Tuckers book, for the less serious collectors, where it is not being used as a reference book, it is probably a good general read.

cheers
Graeme

[Robin Lumsden]

I have no problem with saying no books are perfect - in mine I state quite clearly I did my best but as new information surfaces some things may change. Hey - it will give me a shot at a second edition in 20 years!

Well said!

[Robin Lumsden]

Profit is not a problem IF you write a good book Robin.

I was joking, Tom.
All the best with the book.
It deserves to do well.

[Robin Lumsden]

.............authors actually researching.........

Correct. That's what it's all about. Research and patience.